Meet Armando Emanuelle

We recently connected with Armando Emanuelle and have shared our conversation below.

Armando, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Since I was a child I always made art. I loved to paint and try to make exact copies of the cartoons I used to watch growing up like Dragon Ball Z, or Pokémon. I got the opportunity to study in an art school in my city and fast forward I got my Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. Through my degree I tried to sell my art in different forms, making portraits, drawing body art, make shirts, and that’s when it clicked; I wanted to use the world of fabric and merge it with Art. It became clear that now it was a matter of how to make it, how to attract and what can be provided for the community as well, to grow together and support one another.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a designer based of Ponce, Puerto Rico I have been working with fabric for 5 years now, but I have been making art since I was little. What I love about my journey is what ideas become a reality and what can be changed at any moment. I started my brand with the purpose to resonate with people, sometimes what we can’t express verbally we express with what we wear and how we wear it. Fashion is a representation of your persona, and people can relate to that. To have a connection, and not just be a product to consume, a feeling will be remembered more than the price tag. Thankfully I’ve had the opportunity to present my work in fashion shows, runways, and been on some TV shows.

I mainly work with second hand fashion. There’s a vast amount of clothes which are being consumed daily, the best way to provide an alternative is by making hybrids of the clothes we already have. I love to hand sew my work, I take 9 to 12 hrs per piece, I work with machines as well, but the hands came first and I enjoy the process overall. My goal is to be on a platform such as PFW or NYFW which could showcase my work and I could show the people an alternative to the alternative.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Your best idea will take time. Some things may occur in an instant, just as some will take trial and error and re-dos, but never think it’s because of you. Practice makes discipline and in due time things will shift. Always have fun with what you’re doing and be genuine, the rest will come to you when life feels you are ready. Nothing rushed ever goes well, if you have doubts, you can search for tutorials, read on some books, take a step back, breathe and give it another shot! Surround yourself with what drives you, use your social media to check other creators and see how you could make your own work have impact.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

Anyone who truly wants to showcase who they really are, who wish to feel comfort with what they’re wearing, the ones that aren’t bothered by a few eyes starring all around you. Fashion is a cycle, just like feelings and emotions, and that matters a lot to me. Nothing brings me more joy the face of a client pop with joy and enthusiasm, to know that you connected with them on a personal level, and provided something people they can wear as a statement.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatearchivespr/

Image Credits

Photography credit:
-Stephanie Rodriguez
– Giovanna Salerno
– Walter Armstrong
-Daniel bomb